LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 2-10, 1981, Page 8

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13.03 - On the basis of the previous action taken with reference to inclusion of old Bylaws 9.71 and
9.73, the references in b, 3 were changed to read "2.187 c, 2; 7.11; 7.13." Similarly in section
b, 5 the internal reference was changed from 9.73 to 7.13.
Index - The members were asked to submit any changes in the Index that they might notice to assist
the editorial department at CPH which develops the index.
238. Election of Seminary President (Ag. 1540): Professor Erich Kiehl had asked for the Faculty
Nominations Committee whether new Bylaw 6.11 e, involving the faculty in the nominating and election
process of a seminary president, spoke of one committee or of two. After considerable study the
Commission concluded that the bylaw speaks of two separate committees, the first one composed of three
faculty members elected by the faculty and two board members elected by the board, and the second
committee composed of "faculty members elected by the faculty," number undetermined. Whether faculty
individuals could serve on both committees lies within the discretion of the voting body since there is no
prohibitory provision. The subcommittee of the Task Force, which had worked on this matter, was
consulted during the noon hour and agreed that this was the intention of the subcommittee and that it had
been fully understood as such by the Task Force itself. Donald Prevellet and John Klotz abstained from his action.
239. Social Ministry Services (Ag. 1541): Dr. Les Weber had indicated his understanding that the full
functions and responsibilities of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief have been carried over
into the Board for Social Ministry Services. He listed three considerations which had led him to that
conviction. However, the Commission on Constitutional Matters pointed out that his assumption in the
second point that the bylaw changes were being adopted at that particular point in the convention was
incorrect. The session much later in which the bylaws were adopted retained the provision that the Board
for Parish Services should have a standing committee on Human Care. This fact was specifically called to
the attention of the convention by the floor committee at that time. Furthermore, the Commission agreed
that even though basically the functions had been transferred, as indicated by Dr. Weber, the
responsibilities are not completely identical. The newly adopted bylaws make this plain. Finally, even
though these bylaws had been adopted and were now of a governing nature, any clarification that might
appear to be necessary in the future could be made by subsequent conventions.
240. Lodge Paragraph (Ag. 1465, A-E): Since no additional word had been received, the Commission had
every right to assume that Dr. Lloyd Behnken had brought the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. In any
event, the Commission resolved to remove this item from the agenda with the understanding that if its
assumption is incorrect, the matter could always be reintroduced.
241. Calling During Appeal (Ag. 1505, A): Since this matter seemingly has not yet been concluded,
further action was postponed.
242. ALC Fellowship Resolution (Ag. 1517, A): Pastor Lewis Launhardt of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
had written both to the CCM, and to Dr. Preus, as well as to the CTCR, questioning the validity of the
procedures which have been followed in the development of a position paper by the CTCR concerning
our doctrinal differences with the ALC and questioning the action taken by the convention. After a
detailed study of the arguments advanced by Pastor Launhardt, the Commission resolved upon the
following reply:
1. We note the language of the 1977 resolution to "ask" the CTCR to prepare a study and the
language of the 1979 resolution to "urge" the CTCR to do so. The 1979 resolution,
acknowledging the failure of the CTCR to produce that study before the 1979 convention, set